The workshop title is: Common
ground: How can the health care and social services sectors strengthen
collaborative action to improve outcomes for Tasmanians?

Abstract:

The social services and health care
sectors have something significant in common: the majority of
people/clients/patients/communities that engage with both these sectors share
similar demographic and social characteristics. It is well known that people who experience social disadvantage are
over-represented as patients in the health care sector, i.e. greater
disadvantage = poorer health. This workshop will engage participants in
understanding the extent of the impact of social determinants on Tasmania's
health care system, and the associated challenges which result. Knowing that
the social services and health care sectors "share the same
clientele", the workshop will involve applying a shared problem-solving
framework to develop recommendations for actions.

It would be terrific if many of you could be part of this
discussion. As a warm up to this workshop, here’s an interesting paper you may
like to read: Time after Time — Health
Policy Implications

Once again as a Board member of the Australian Women’s
Health Network, I am proud to draw your attention to the latest of the
series of AWHN position papers - http://www.awhn.org.au/files.php?cat=1.
I hope you find it interesting and useful in your work.

For those of you receiving this kind of notice for the first
time or for your further interest I recommend the AWHN website (www.awhn.org.au) where
you will find a number of other position papers of interest.

The Senate’s Select Committee on Health is holding public
hearings in Hobart on the 3rd November, Devonport on the 4th
and Launceston the 5th.

4. A glossary of policy frameworks: the many
forms of ‘universalism’ and policy targeting A glossary of policy frameworks:
the many forms of ‘universalism’ and policy ‘targeting’

The recognition that certain characteristics (such as
poverty, disadvantage or membership of marginalised social or cultural groups) can
make individuals more susceptible to illness has reignited interest in how to
combine universal programs and policies with ones targeted to specific groups.
However, ‘universalism’ and ‘targeting’ are used in different ways for
different purposes. In this glossary we define different types, and approaches
to, universalism and targeting. We
anticipate that greater clarity in relation to what is meant by ‘universalism’
and ‘targeting’ will lead to more nuanced debate and practice in this area.
Read more: https://www.academia.edu/8675091/A_glossary_of_policy_frameworks_the_many_forms_of_universalism_and_policy_targeting

5 Cannabis Policy Framework (Canada)

You may be interested in this Cannabis
Policy Framework from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in
Canada, in which we recommend legalization with strict regulation as the most
effective means of reducing cannabis-related harms. There are fascinating SDoH
dimensions to this topic, which we explore in the document and in this
blog that accompanies it. Concerns about equity, particularly in the area
of law enforcement, are part of the reason CAMH has moved away from its
previous pro-decriminalization position towards one that favours legalization with
strict regulation.

6. Invitation to provide input into the
development of a Discussion and Options Paper for Safe and Healthy Food in
Tasmania

If you were unable to attend the consultation forums that
were recently held but would like to provide input, the online
survey is now available until 9am, Friday 24 October 2014.

7. Addressing Social, Economic and
Environmental Determinants of Health and the Health Divide in the Context of
Sustainable Human Development

This week IHE and UNDP published a report and policy
briefing based on a project aimed at understanding whether, how and in which
ways UNDP's development projects in countries in Eastern Europe and Central
Asia address social, economic and environmental determinants of health and
health equity.

Social, economic and environmental factors are embedded in
development as the three interlinking pillars of sustainable human development.
They also, to a large extent, determine population health and the distribution
of health.

While health and development are inextricably linked, health
and development practitioners often operate in organisational silos.

In order to realise potential co-benefits for both health
and development and to prioritise areas for action, it is necessary to take
specific steps to integrate health and development. Bringing health and
development together will create opportunities for more impact. This study
shows how this can be done in a practical way.

8. *The State of Food Insecurity in the
World 2014*:The
State of Food Insecurity in the World 2014 presents updated estimates of
undernourishment and progress towards the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) and
World Food Summit (WFS) hunger targets. A stock-taking of where we stand on
reducing hunger and malnutrition shows that progress in hunger reduction at the
global level and in many countries has continued but that substantial
additional effort is needed in others. Read more: http://www.fao.org/publications/sofi/2014/en/

Health 2020 is the health policy framework for the
European region. It aims to support action across government and society to:
“significantly improve the health and well-being of populations, reduce health
inequalities, strengthen public health and ensure people-centred health systems
that are universal, equitable, sustainable and of high quality”. This video
introduces the concept and elements of Health 2020.

From Julie Milnes, Health Promotion Coordinator (NW)

10. NW Health Promotion Network meetings

Come along and share your health promotion activities! The
videoconference sites are available

Starting Wednesday 5th November - A 3 week face to face and
online course for people working in a clinical setting. This express course
will get you on track with easy steps to make a big impact in working in health
promoting ways. If you're looking to reorient your service to be more health
promoting, then this is the course for you.

We hope that you find this work useful. Please do get in
touch with us with any feedback.

Best wishes,

The Institute of Health Equity

15. Women and Girls in Tasmania:

The Women and Girls in Tasmania Report (the
Report) provides a statistical snapshot of the current status of women and
girls in Tasmania.

The Report was initiated as a key action under the Tasmanian
Women's Plan 2013-2018 (the Women's Plan) as another vital step
forward for gender equality in Tasmania by improving the evidence-base we use
for policy and service development.

The Report provides a unique baseline profile of women and
girls in Tasmania by bringing together a range of data relevant at the
commencement of the Women's Plan that spans its six outcome areas:

This booklet communicates fundamental concepts about the
importance of health inequality monitoring, using text, figures, maps and
videos. Following a brief summary of main messages, four general principles
pertaining to health inequalities are highlighted:

health inequalities are widespread

health inequality is multidimensional

benchmarking puts changes in inequality in
context and

health inequalities inform policy

Each of the four principles is accompanied by figures or
maps that illustrate the concept, a question that is posed as an extension and
application of the material, and a link to a video, demonstrating the use of
interactive visuals to answer the question. The videos are accessible online by
scanning a QR code (a URL is also provided). The next section of the booklet
outlines essential steps forward for achieving health equity, including the
strengthening and equity orientation of health information systems through data
collection, data analysis and reporting practices. The use of visualization
technologies as a tool to present data about health inequality is promoted,
accompanied by a link to a video demonstrating how health inequality data can
be presented interactively. Finally, the booklet announces the upcoming State
of inequality report, and refers readers to the Health Equity Monitor homepage
on the WHO Global Health Observatory.

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The Social Determinants of Health Advocacy Network held its inaugural conference in Hobart last November

Visit our website to view and download some of the presentations

Visit: http://sdohtasmania.org.au

.

What are the social determinants of health?

The word social relates to society and means people.

Determinants of health are - broadly speaking - the things that affect your health - either in a positive way (they protect our health and keep us healthy) or a negative way (they make us sick).

If we put these things together - the social determinants of health are things (systems, products, factors) created, shaped and controlled by people that affect our health.

These things include education, housing, employment, transport and so forth. These are created and shaped by people. And because if this it's possible to change them.

As an example, let's look at transport. We - the people - have created our transport systems. Not necessarily you or I personally but as a society we've done this. The problem is that there are many aspects of the system that are not great - many of our streets aren't cycle or pedestrian friendly, if you live in a rural area public transport options are limited, the number of cars on our roads isn't good for the environment and so forth. All of these things about the transport system can affect our health.

But the great thing is that, because we - the people - developed this system in the first place, we have the ability to change it - to make things better and to improve health as a result.

There are other determinants of health - such as our genes - that we can't change. So let's focus on the things we can do to improve health.

More formally, here's how the literature talks about the social determinants of health:

The social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age, including the health system. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources at global, national and local levels. The social determinants of health are mostly responsible for health inequities - the unfair and avoidable differences in health status seen within and between countries.

Here's a good place to start your reading:

A great publication on the social determinants of health is The Solid Facts.

Vision of the Network

All Tasmanians have the opportunity to live a long, healthy life regardless of their income, education, employment, gender, sexuality, capabilities, cultural background, who they are or where they live.

Membership

Membership of the Network is open to all Tasmanians who share this vision.

Membership is free of charge. Membership means you become a subscriber to our enews and that you get the opportunity to work with others who are part of this Network to undertake advocacy action.

Membership to the Network can be obtained by providing a name, organisation (where there is one but individuals can join as individuals), address, telephone and email address to the Facilitator by email:

socialdeterminantsofhealthtas@gmail.com

The Network currently has more than 220 members across Tasmania (as well as some interstate) from a broad range of sectors.

“The Commission’s main finding is straightforward. The social conditions in which people are born, live, and work are the single most important determinant of good health or ill health, of a long and productive life, or a short and miserable one. ……..This ends the debate decisively. Health care is an important determinant of health. Lifestyles are important determinants of health. ….But, let me emphasize, it is factors in the social environment that determine access to health services and influence lifestyle choices in the first place”.

Dr Margaret Chan, Director General, World Health Organisation.

Tasmanian Action Sheets on the Social Determinants of Health

Visit the Tasmania Council of Social Service website to download 10 action sheets on the social determinants of health in Tasmania.